News

Simon Cowell has announced that the winner of the upcoming US version of the X-Factor will win a massive $5million record deal.

The winner of the series will walk away with televisions biggest ever prize in the Sony Music contract.

Simon Cowell says on the X-Factor website: “I believe that America has the best talent in the world. I believe that with all my heart.”

If that wasn't enough of an incentive for potential stars to come out of the woodwork and to tempt an entire nation to watch the show he added: “If you win this competition I'm going to put my money where my mouth is – it's a $5m recording contract. That means the winner will walk away with $5m guaranteed. Win this competition, it will change your life forever.”

Americans who think they have the X Factor will be able to show the team what they have to offer at the first auditions to be held in Los Angeles on March 27.

However the prize money means that the show will simply have to produce a top star.

Simon Cowell said: “It is a massive, massive risk but it's also an incredible incentive. It puts everybody, rightly, under an enormous amount of pressure.

“If they don´t sell a single record they still get to keep the money. It is pressure, because if the wrong person wins, I'm in trouble. We've got to find somebody fantastic to get the money back.”

The much hyped new show will have less tight age restrictions than American Idol with contestants able to enter the show from as young as 12 and no upper age limit.

Simon Cowell said: “I've never believed there should be a cut-off age for talent,” with the global phenomenon of Susan Boyle being the casing point.

While new details about the show are slowly being revealed the all important announcement of who will be sitting in the judges seats is yet to come.

There have been rumours that Cheryl Cole will fill the hot seat as well as Paula Abdul who was a judge on American Idol.

“We've spoken to her (Paula Abdul), she knows I'm a big fan. I have always said at some point er are going to be working together. I have to take everyone's opinions into account, including the show's other producers and the network.”

The US version of the X-Factor is due to be screened in America in the autumn.

Teen sensation Justin Bieber has revealed to MTV that he has some surprises up his sleeve when it comes to his performance at the eagerly anticipated Grammy Awards on Sunday.

Jessie J has stormed into the UK single charts and straight into the number one spot pushing Ke$ha down to number three and leaving Bruno Mars at number two.

Singing star Christina Aguilera had the eyes of the world on her as she sang the American National Anthem to kick off the Super Bowl XLV but she ended up changing an entire line of the song during her performance which was watched by millions.

The trial of Doctor Conrad Murray, the doctor accused of the involuntary manslaughter of Michael Jackson will be able to be televised a judge has ruled.

Superior court judge, Michael Pastor has stated that television cameras will be allowed into the court room for the trial which is expected to last around six weeks, as long as cameras had “absolute least intrusive placement.”

The trial is due to begin on March 24, four days earlier than originally planned and with the television coverage fans of Michael Jackson will be able to watch as the case unfolds.

News crews wanting to take a place in the court room will now have to provide the judge with a detailed proposal on how they want to conduct the filming.

Previous hearings in the case have not been televised including the preliminary hearing last month which heard witnesses testifying that Dr Murray, Jackson's personal physician, had given the pop star “Propofol” a surgical drug usually used in a clinical setting as an anesthetic.

Dr Murray had told police investigating the death of Michael Jackson last June that he had given the singer “Propofol” after he had already administered milder drugs during the night in an attempt to help Jackson sleep.

Lawyers for Dr Conrad Murray are saying however that the prosecution have failed to prove that he was responsible for the death of Michael Jackson and that his death was instead due to poor health.

Dr Conrad Murray is currently on a $750,000 bail and if convicted of involuntary manslaughter he will face a possible four year stint in prison.

Pop sensation Lady Gaga is due to grace the cover of the March edition of American “Vogue” and the leaked images of the star are already causing a stir.

Sir Elton John has launched a tirade of criticism against many top celebrities and the UK music scene, including Cheryl Cole, during an interview with “The Word” magazine.

Irish rockers U2 could well be releasing their latest album on May 27 as a German retail site that has listed the album provokes release date rumours.

Jack and Meg White of the White Stripes duo have announced that the pair are to split up and will be calling it a day for their act the White Stripes after 13 years of music making together.

Fans of pop sensation Justin Bieber are already waiting in anticipation for the release of his upcoming movie “Never Say Never” but they will also be treated to a new seven track mini album to accompany the film due to be released on Valentine's Day.

Britney Spears fans may be disappointed to hear that her manager has dismissed rumours that the singer will be performing at the Grammy Awards on February 13.

The latest video from singer Rihanna has been dubbed an adult only affair as it has reportedly already been banned in 11 countries while MTV are considering editing it for daytime viewers.

Three of the biggest names in pop; Lady Gaga, Pink and Mariah Carey, have joined forces in their support for pro animal rights organisation PETA.

Britain may love Cheryl Cole as she won the hearts of a nation as he kind hearted and glamorous judge on the UK X Factor but her chances of taking up the role in the US version are now looking slim.

The cast of the hit US show Glee have won themselves a place in the music history books as they have now smashed the record for the act to have 20 top 40 hits in the shortest space of time, knocking pop legend Elvis Presley off this top spot.

Singers Adele and Ke$ha are showing that girls rule as the pair top the UK charts this week with Adele topping the album chart and Ke$ha riding high on the singles chart.

Boyband Blue will be heading to Düsseldorf in Germany on May 14 to officially represent the UK in the Eurovision song contest.

A long time ago in the heady party days of 1987 George Michael, formerly of “Wham!” fame, released “Faith”, an album that would go down in the history books as the moment George Michael became a solo star in his own right.

It has been 10 years since the stomach churning antics of the Jackass boys first appeared on television and now they will be returning, this time to a computer screen near you, in their latest movie “Jackass 3.5”.

X Factor judge Simon Cowell has reportedly suggested that Katie Price will be replacing Cheryl Cole as an X Factor judge. In an interview with the “Daily Star” the media mogul said: “Do I want Jordan as a judge on the X Factor panel? Yeah, that could work.” He added: “Why not? I like her as person.

Chris Brown has asked for a restraining order against him held by Rihanna to be lifted.